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Russian Roulette

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS, Russian Roulette explores the politics, history, and complex societies of Russia and Eurasia. Tune in for fascinating interviews and discussions on some of the biggest questions facing the broader post-Soviet space. Produced by David Lotfi, Lexi Linafelter, and Nicholas Fenton

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173 episodes
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Avg 44 min
English

Episodes 173

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Oct 4, 2024 · 42 min
Two Former Central Bankers on Russia's Inflation Problem
This week, Maria sat down with Sergey Aleksashenko and Alexandra Prokopenko to discuss the Russian central bank's continued inability to reign in domestic inflation, and what it means for Russia's economy and war effort going forward.
Sep 23, 2024 · 32 min
Andrea Kendall-Taylor and the Axis of Upheaval
On this week's episode, Max and Maria are joined by Andrea Kendall-Taylor to discuss Russian collaboration with China, Iran, and North Korea, and the key role that these partnerships are playing in sustaining Russia's invasion of Ukraine and post-2022 foreign policy strategy.
Sep 9, 2024 · 56 min
Mike Kofman and Rob Lee on the West’s Aid to Ukraine, and the Debate Over Red Lines and Escalation
This week, Max and Maria were joined by military analysts Michael Kofman and Rob Lee to discuss the latest phase of the war in Ukraine. Max and Maria asked them for their thoughts on the ongoing Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, and whether or not this seizure of Russian territory by Kyiv exposes Russian threats of escalation as hollow. If they are hollow, does that mean Western "red lines" on certain kinds of aid to Ukraine should be reassessed?
Aug 23, 2024 · 37 min
Ukraine's Kursk Offensive with Sam Bendett and Mick Ryan
Max and Maria sat down with Sam Bendett and Mick Ryan to discuss the Ukrainian military's recent seizure of territory in Kursk Oblast, inside Russia. They discussed how this attack took place, the risks and potential gains at stake for the Ukrainian side, and what this could all mean for the war going forward.
Aug 12, 2024 · 43 min
Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan on the Russia-West Prisoner Exchange, Russian Hybrid Warfare, and the Russian Émigré Community Today
This week, Maria sat down with investigative journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan. Andrei and Irina gave their analysis of the recent high-profile Russia-West prisoner swap, and also discussed the threat of Russian hybrid attacks on Western countries.
Jul 29, 2024 · 41 min
Ukrainian Resistance in the Occupied Territories with Jade McGlynn
Max and Maria sat down with Jade McGlynn to discuss her recent report for CSIS, "Crossing Thresholds: Ukrainian Resistance to Russian Occupation."
Jul 11, 2024 · 44 min
Dmitri Alperovitch and "World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century"
On this week's episode, Max and Michael Kimmage sat down with Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of Silverado Policy Institute, to discuss Dmitri's recent book, "World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century." Recorded on July 2, 2024, the conversation covers the geopolitical parallels between the European and Indo-Pacific theaters today, and what the dual strategic challenges emanating from Moscow and Beijing mean for Western policymakers.
Jun 27, 2024 · 48 min
A Sanctions Update with Eddie Fishman and Sergey Aleksashenko
Maria recently sat down with sanctions expert Eddie Fishman and economist Sergey Aleksashenko to provide a timely update on the evolving sanctions regime leveled against Russia. (Recorded on June 18, 2024.)
Jun 14, 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
Understanding the Growing Collaboration Between Russia and Iran
This week, Max sat down for a public conversation with Hanna Notte and Jon B. Alterman to discuss how the governments of Russia and Iran have strengthened their political, economic, and security collaboration since the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
May 31, 2024 · 40 min
The Recent Anti-Corruption Purge and New Leadership at the Russian Ministry of Defense with Mikhail Zygar and Christopher Davis
Maria sat down with Russian independent journalist and author Mikhail Zygar, and University of Oxford professor Christopher Davis, to discuss the recent string of anti-corruption charges at the Russian Ministry of Defense, and the replacement of Sergei Shoigu with Andrei Belousov at the ministry’s head.
May 16, 2024 · 55 min
"Collisions: The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability," the latest book by Michael Kimmage
On May 2, 2024, Maria sat down with Michael Kimmage and Mary Elise Sarotte to discuss Michael's newest book, "Collisions the Origins of the War in Ukraine, and the New Global Instability."
May 14, 2024 · 51 min
The Ongoing Protests in Georgia and What Is at Stake with Tinatin Japaridze and Eto Buziashvili
For today's special bonus episode, Max sat down with Tinatin Japaridze and Eto Buziashvili to discuss the ongoing protests taking place in Georgia. Georgian civil society is mobilizing yet again in opposition to the controversial "foreign agents" law being pushed by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
May 3, 2024 · 40 min
Back in Stock? The Latest Report on the Russian Defense Industry from CSIS
Today, Max and Maria were joined by Tina Dolbaia and Nick Fenton, two members of the team at CSIS, to discuss the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia program's latest report, "Back in Stock? The State of Russia's Defense Industry after Two Years of the War."
Apr 18, 2024 · 43 min
A New Investigative Report on the "Havana Syndrome" Phenomenon with Roman Dobrokhotov
On this week's episode, Max and Maria sat down with Roman Dobrokhotov, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Russia-focused investigative media outlet, The Insider . Roman's team, along with colleagues at CBS's 60 Minutes and the German outlet Der Spiegel , recently concluded an investigation that uncovered evidence potentially linking Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, with the health incidents impacting U.S. government officials and their families that have come to be known as "H
Apr 4, 2024 · 41 min
Innovations on the Battlefield in Ukraine with Paul Schwartz and Samuel Bendett
Max and Maria sat down with Paul Schwartz and Sam Bendett to discuss the different technological and tactical battlefield innovations taking place in Ukraine today, and what they mean for military analysts studying the war.
Mar 21, 2024 · 38 min
Nicolas Véron and the Continued Debate Over Russia's Frozen Central Bank Reserves
Nicolas Véron of Bruegel and the Peterson Institute for International Economics joined Max to discuss the ongoing debate over Russia's frozen central bank reserves. This conversation was recorded on March 15, 2024.
Mar 7, 2024 · 51 min
Liana Fix and Nikolay Petrov on Russia's March 2024 Presidential Election
This week, Maria was joined once again by Liana Fix and Nikolay Petrov to discuss Russia's March 2024 presidential election, and what "politics" looks like in the country today.
Feb 22, 2024 · 30 min
The Death of Alexei Navalny with Miriam Lanskoy
This week, Max and Maria are joined again by Miriam Lanskoy from the National Endowment for Democracy to discuss the recent news of Alexei Navalny's death in a Russian penal colony.
Feb 8, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
Maria's New Book: "When Left Moves Right"
Max interviews Maria on her new book, "When Left Moves Right: The Decline of the Left and the Rise of the Populist Right in Postcommunist Europe."
Jan 25, 2024 · 32 min
Russian Influence Operations in 2024 with Catherine Belton
This week, Max and Maria were joined by acclaimed reporter, Catherine Belton. Catherine currently writes for the Washington Post , and has written extensively on the Russian elite and security services. Max, Maria, and Catherine discussed ongoing Russian efforts to influence democratic societies, and the particular vulnerability facing Western countries as they gear up for a series of elections across the globe in 2024.

Showing 61–80 of 173 episodes